PGA: Matt Every leads Greenbrier Classic

Phil Mickelson misses Greenbrier cut for third straight year.

Phil Mickelson tees off on the ninth hole of Friday's second round of the Greenbrier Classic.

By:The Associated Press, Published on Sat Jul 06 2013

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.VA.—The first page of the Greenbrier Classic leaderboard is filled with golfers who'll get to do something they're unaccustomed to lately: Playing on the weekend.

Matt Every shot an 8-under 62 on Friday for a one-stroke lead over five other players midway through the Greenbrier Classic.

Phil Mickelson shot a 68 but, at 2 over, missed the cut. It marked the first time in his career that Mickelson has missed three consecutive cuts at one tournament.

Every needed just 26 putts during his best round of the year and is at 9 under for the tournament on the Old White TPC course. He missed four putts inside 12 feet that could have made his bogey-free second round even more special.

“I played really well tee to green, finally made some putts,” Every said. “I haven't made anything all year and it just finally happened today. Been waiting for it.”

Every has been in this position before, leading after the first round of the 2012 Texas Open and tying for the third-round lead at the 2012 Sony Open, yet the 29-year-old is still looking for his first PGA Tour victory.

The posh Greenbrier resort is in a small town named for its hot spring waters that the locals have touted for centuries for their healing qualities. It seems as though the Greenbrier Classic is doing wonders for some golfers, too.

Prior to this week, Wagner went seven straight tournaments without advancing to the third round. Other streaks that were broken this week were five straight for Lunde, four for Bowditch and three for Summerhays.

Every had missed cuts in four of his last five tournaments, and Owen and Curtis had in three in their last four. Gainey made the cut for only the 10th time in 23 tries.

“It's coming down to the end of the year,” Every said. “It's a big week for a lot of people. If you play good it can change your life.”

Henley is an exception with one missed cut in his last four tournaments, which includes a sixth-place finish at the Memorial.

He's 16th in the FedEx Cup points standings. Every (104th) and Summerhays (123) are the only other players within two shots of the lead who are in the top 125 in the FedEx Cup standings.

The playoffs are less than two months away.

“It's crunch time,” Wagner said.

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